Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons on Plant Litter Microbiota in an Arctic Lake

The effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on the microbial community associated with decomposing Carex leaf litter colonized in Toolik Lake, Alaska, were examined. Microbial metabolic activity, measured as the rate of acetate incorporation into lipid, did not vary significantly from controls over a 12-h period after exposure of colonized Carex litter to 3.0 ml of Prudhoe Bay crude oil, diesel fuel, or toluene per liter. ATP levels of the microbiota became elevated within 2 h after the exposure of the litter to diesel fuel or toluene, but returned to control levels within 4 to 8 h. ATP levels of samples exposed to Prudhoe Bay crude oil did not vary from control levels. Mineralization of specifically labeled ¹⁴C-[lignin]-lignocellulose and ¹⁴C-[cellulose]-lignocellulose by Toolik Lake sediments, after the addition of 2% (vol/vol) Prudhoe Bay crude oil, motor oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, n-hexane, or toluene, was examined after 21 days of incubation at 10°C. Diesel fuel, motor oil, gasoline, and toluene inhibited ¹⁴C-[lignin]-lignocellulose mineralization by 58, 67, 67, and 86%, respectively. Hexane-treated samples displayed an increase in the rate of ¹⁴C-[lignin]-lignocellulose mineralization of 33%. ¹⁴C-[cellulose]-lignocellulose mineralization was inhibited by the addition of motor oil or toluene by 27 and 64%, respectively, whereas diesel fuel-treated samples showed a 17% increase in mineralization rate. Mineralization of the labeled lignin component of lignocellulose appeared to be more sensitive to hydrocarbon perturbations than was the labeled cellulose component.     

Influence of UV irradiation on microbiological degradation of petroleum products

Changes in the rates of microbiological degradation of kerosene, diesel fuel, and fuel oil under the effect of UV irradiation were estimated by testing the respiratory activity of microbial communities. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed upon simultaneous UV irradiation of both natural water and petroleum products. Concentrations of CO₂ in the microbial communities (microcosms) decreased from 6.7 to 3.6 vol. % upon oxidation of kerosene, from 5.9 to 0.8 vol. % upon oxidation of diesel fuel, and from 5.7 to 0.05 vol. % upon oxidation of fuel oil.     

Rapid mineralization of benzo[a]pyrene by a microbial consortium growing on diesel fuel

A microbial consortium which rapidly mineralized the environmentally persistent pollutant benzo[a]pyrene was recovered from soil. The consortium cometabolically converted [7-(14)C]benzo[a]pyrene to (14)CO(2) when it was grown on diesel fuel, and the extent of benzo[a]pyrene mineralization was dependent on both diesel fuel and benzo[a]pyrene concentrations. Addition of diesel fuel at concentrations ranging from 0.007 to 0.2% (wt/vol) stimulated the mineralization of 10 mg of benzo[a]pyrene per liter 33 to 65% during a 2-week incubation period. When the benzo[a]pyrene concentration was 10 to 100 mg liter(-1) and the diesel fuel concentration was 0.1% (wt/vol), an inoculum containing 1 mg of cell protein per liter (small inoculum) resulted in mineralization of up to 17.2 mg of benzo[a]pyrene per liter in 16 days. This corresponded to 35% of the added radiolabel when the concentration of benzo[a]pyrene was 50 mg liter(-1). A radiocarbon mass balance analysis recovered 25% of the added benzo[a]pyrene solubilized in the culture suspension prior to mineralization. Populations growing on diesel fuel most likely promoted emulsification of benzo[a]pyrene through the production of surface-active compounds. The consortium was also analyzed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA gene fragments, and 12 dominant bands, representing different sequence types, were detected during a 19-day incubation period. The onset of benzo[a]pyrene mineralization was compared to changes in the consortium community structure and was found to correlate with the emergence of at least four sequence types. DNA from 10 sequence types were successfully purified and sequenced, and that data revealed that eight of the consortium members were related to the class Proteobacteria but that the consortium also included members which were related to the genera Mycobacterium and Sphingobacterium.     

The role of land plants,phosphorus weathering and fire in the rise and regulation of atmospheric oxygen

The evolution of vascular plants and their spread across the land surface, beginning ～420 Ma, progressively increased the rate of weathering of phosphorus from rocks. This phosphorus supply promoted terrestrial and marine productivity and the burial of organic carbon, which has been the major source of O₂ over geological timescales. Hence, it is predicted that the rise of plants led to an increase in the O₂ content of the atmosphere from ～12 vol %, 570–400 Ma to its present level of ～21 vol % by ～340 Ma. Previous modelling studies suggest that O₂ then rose to ～35 vol % ～300 Ma. Such high concentrations are difficult to reconcile with the known persistence of forests, because rising O₂ increases the frequency and intensity of vegetation fires, tending to decrease biomass and cause ecological shifts toward faster regenerating ecosystems. Rising O₂ also directly inhibits C3 photosynthetic carbon assimilation and increases the production of toxic reactive oxygen species in cells. These effects suppress plant‐induced phosphorus weathering and hence organic carbon burial, providing a sensitive negative feedback on O₂. A revised model predicts that this mechanism could have regulated atmospheric O₂ within the range 15–25 vol % for the last 350 million years.     

Effect of oxygenation conditions on submerged cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Summary The effect of the oxygen supply pattern on the onset and development of the lignolytic enzyme system of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was studied in submerged culture employing the serum bottle approach. Periodic or continuous flushing through the head phase, and continuous bubbling through the liquid phase with either oxygen (O₂) or air were applied. The nature of the O₂ supply had a crucial regulatory effect not only on the formation of lignin-degrading peroxidases but also on their decay and on the production of extracellular protease activity and polysaccharides. Continuous oxygenation or aeration increased the glucose consumption rate, extracellular protease activity and polysaccharides. Gassing with air, whether continuous or periodic, sustained Mn-peroxidase activity while ligninase was undetectable. Continuous O₂ supply speeded up ligninase decay, displaying a sharper maximum, while a broader maximum and slower decay of ligninase activity were observed when supplying periodic O₂. Cultures initially grown with free exposure to air displayed a higher but sharper ligninase activity maximum when shifted to continuous rather than periodic O₂ supply. In general, the higher levels of either polysaccharides or protease activity corresponded to the lower levels and faster decay of ligninase and Mn-peroxidase activities. Offprint requests to: H. E. Grethlein     

The role of interphase nitrogen transport in the dynamic measurement of the overall volumetric mass transfer cefficient in air-sparged systems

It has been shown both theoretically and experimentally that interphase nitrogen transport may have a significant influence on the rate of interphase oxygen transport, and thereby also on the value of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient of oxygen, k_la, determined in mechanically agitated bubble fermentors using the variants of dynamic method presented in the literature. The experiments were carried out in 1M KCI solution at five stirrer frequencies and two gas inlet levels. The gas interchanges were performed either without interrupting the aeration and agitation of the charge (A) or with the aeration and agitation of the charge turned on at the same time (B). The applied variants of the interchange were N₂→ O₂→, O₂→ N₂, N₂→ air, air→ N₂, O→ O₂, and O→ air. In the two last variants the oxygen dissolved in the charge was removed by reacting with sulfite ions. The k_la values calculated by allowing for the nitrogen transport for procedure A were approximately equal to the values obtained by disregarding the nitrogen transport, whereas those for procedure B were higher (up to 40%), than the values obtained disregarding the nitrogen transport.     

Influence of dissolved oxygen and shear conditions on clavulanic acid production by Streptomyces clavuligerus

Clavulanic acid (CA), a potent β-lactamase inhibitor, is produced by a filamentous bacterium. Here, the effect of DO and shear, expressed as impeller tip velocity, on CA production was examined. Cultivations were performed in a 4 L fermentor with speeds of 600, 800 and 1,000 rpm and a fixed air flow rate (0.5 vvm). Also, cultivation with automatic control of dissolved oxygen, at 50% air saturation, by varying stirrer speed and using a mixture of air and O₂ (10% v/v) in the inlet gas, and a cultivation with fixed stirrer speed of 800 rpm and air flow rate of 0.5 vvm, enriched with 10% v/v O₂, were performed. Significant variations in CA titer, CA production rate and O₂ uptake-rate were observed. It was also found that the DO level has no remarkable effect on CA production once a critical level is surpassed. The most significant improvement in CA production was related to high stirrer speeds.     

The decomposition of tylosin fermentation waste in soil at four temperatures

Summary Aerobic decomposition of tylosin fermentation waste was studied by O₂ uptake and CO₂, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– release over 10 weeks in a light compost-soil at 3 concentrations and 4 temperatures. Comparisons of O₂ uptake and CO₂ release at each temperature showed that aerobic conditions were maintained in the system. Maximal rates of respiration (C mineralization) increased with temperature. At 23°C 50% of the substrate C had been mineralized in 10 weeks. At 10–15°C and at 4°C C mineralization was approximately 38% and 22% respectively. Except at 4°C mineralization had almost ceased within 10 weeks. There was evidence of a permanent inhibition of C mineralization at 10–15°C compared with 23°C, and a temporary inhibition at 10°C compared with 15°C.At 10 weeks 25% of the N had been mineralized at 23, 15 and 10°C, while 14% had been mineralized at 4°C. The time taken to reach maximum N mineralization was reduced by increase in temperature and by 10 weeks mineralization had almost ceased at 15 and 23°C. In terms of the fertilizing effect of tylosin fermentation, 25% of the total N was available within 10 weeks at 10–23°C. Nitrification was strongly inhibited at 4 and 10°C. Both C and N mineralization were in direct proportion to the concentration of tylosin fermentation waste added to the soil.     

Growth and tissue senescence inPrunus avium shoots grownin vitro at different CO3/O2 ratios

Summary The rate of metabolism and biosynthetic processes makein vitro cultures very sensitive to environmental changes, and therefore subject to physiological and morphological alterations leading to senescence in the short term. The effect of three different calibrated atmospheric compositions were studied duringin vitro culture ofPrunus avium shoots. At 0.034% CO₂-21% O₂ (vol/vol), which stimulate the natural atmosphere, the highest growth rate and chlorophyll content were recorded. When grown at 0.09% CO₂-8% O₂ (vol/vol), a favorable condition for photosynthesis and growth, cultures showed a higher percentage of dry matter and elevated ethylene production, but total chlorophyll was lower. These shoots were also highly lignified and fibrous with red pigmentation along the leaves and stems. At 0% CO₂-21% O₂ (vol/vol), in contrast, growth and ethylene formation were inhibited; chlorophyll content was lowest in comparison with the other two environmental conditions, but regreening of tissues was observed after the first half of the culture period. Senescence symptoms, as indicated by decreased chlorophyll, appeared after about 18 d of culture for tissues grown in CO₂-containing atmospheres. These experiments provided evidence that in CO₂-enriched cultures biomass production steadily increased even when chlorophyll decreased. A possible role of CO₂ in promoting tissue-senescence through activation of photooxidative events and ethylene synthesis is discussed.     

Hydrogen peroxide (H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>) supply significantly improves xanthan gum production mediated by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas campestris</Emphasis> in vitro

To improve xanthan gum productivity, a strategy of adding hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was studied. The method could intensify oxygen supply through degradation of H₂O₂ to oxygen (O₂). In shake flask testing, the xanthan gum yield reached 2.8% (improved by 39.4%) when adding 12.5 mM H₂O₂ after 24 h of fermentation. In fermentor testing, it was obvious that the oxygen conditions varied with the H₂O₂ addition time. Eventually, gum yield of 4.2% (w/w) was achieved (increased by 27.3%). Compared with the method of intense mixing and increasing the air flow rate, adding H₂O₂ to improve the dissolved oxygen concentration was more effective and much better. Moreover, addition of H₂O₂ improved the quality of xanthan gum; the pyruvate content of xanthan was 4.4% (w/w), higher than that of the control (3.2%).     

Xylem sap flow as a major pathway for oxygen supply to the sapwood of birch (Betula pubescens Ehr.)

The role of xylem sap flow as an aqueous pathway for oxygen supply to the wood parenchyma of Betula pubescens saplings was investigated. Using micro‐optode sensors the oxygen status of the sapwood was quantified in relation to mass flow of xylem sap. Sap flow was gradually reduced by an increasing oxygen depletion in the root space. The effect of sap flow on radial O₂ transport between stem and atmosphere was assessed by a stoichiometrical approach between respiratory CO₂ production and O₂ consumption. Restriction of sap flow set in 36.5 h after the onset of O₂ depletion, and was complete after 71 h. Interruption of sap flow drastically increased the O₂ deficit in the sapwood to 70%. Sap flow contributed about 60% to the total oxygen supply to the sapwood. Diurnal O₂ flow rates varied between 3 and 6.3 nmol O₂ m^?2 leaf area (LA) s^?1 during night‐ and daytime, respectively. Maximum O₂ flow rates of 20 nmol O₂ m^?2 LA s^?1 were reached at highest sap flow rates of 5.7 mmol H₂O m^?2 LA s^?1. Sap flow not only affected the oxygen status of the sapwood but also had an effect on radial O₂ transport between stem and atmosphere.     

An increased carbon dioxide production in transient hypoxia in healthy subjects at rest

Indices of pulmonary gas exchange and heart rate (HR) have been measured in 24 healthy subjects not adapted to hypoxia after hypoxic aerial mixture (HAM) (17, 15, 13 vol % of oxygen) respiration for 15 min. Using group data analysis, it has been shown that hypoxia under the conditions of inhalation of 17 and 15 vol % of O₂ caused no significant changes. Hypoxia under the conditions of 13 vol % of O₂ inhalation is a threshold one, when ventilation (SpO₂) drops below 85%. A significant increase in the lung ventilation (Ve) (10–14%, p < 0.05) and HR (11–15%, p < 0.05) have been observed in this case. Hyperpnea was accompanied by an increase in the oxygen uptake rate by 10% and carbon dioxide release rate (10–18%, p < 0.05). On the contrary, individual data analysis showed changes in the pulmonary gas exchange indices in 90% of subjects in the case of inhalation of 17 vol % of O₂ HAM. Four response types have been found: ventilation (increase in lung ventilation), hypoxic hypometabolism (decrease in oxygen consumption rate), and mobilization response (increase in oxygen utilization in the lungs), and anaerobic response, which is expressed in an increase in the carbon dioxide release rate along with an increase in the respiratory quotient. All these responses are of an individual type, but the ventilation response is developed in response to hypoxia caused by inhalation of 13 vol % of O₂ HAM and a decrease in SpO₂ below 85% in more than 60% of cases.     

Enhancement of the biological degradation of soils contaminated with oil by the addition of compost

The fundamentals of the biological treatment of contaminated soils were investigated in bioreactors with the aim to optimize the processes of biological soil treatment in order to achieve the highest possible degree of degradation within the shortest period of time. Preinvestigations using test systems at different scales have provided information about the possibilities of enhancing the decomposition processes which are dependent on various factors, such as milieu conditions, additives, etc., that must be known before remedial actions are taken. The investigations made so far have shown that compost is a favourable additive when oil-contaminated soils are biologically treated. The degradation of contaminants can be enhanced by the addition of compost. This positive effect is attributed to various mechanisms. In this paper, results of a variety of test systems at different scales are presented. In test series, different amounts of biocompost were added to investigate the influence on the degradation of diesel fuel. It was demonstrated that by increasing the compost content – the cumulative O₂ consumption caused by the degradation of the diesel fuel contaminants increased. It could be shown that the reduction of the diesel fuel contaminants in the soil was independent of the compost age and amounted to approximately 94% of the initial quantity. The addition of biocompost could also enhance the degradation of real contaminants. After a test period of 162 days in set-ups with compost addition, more than 75% of the lubricating oil contaminants disappeared, while less than 37% of the contaminants disappeared in set-ups without compost addition. Moreover, by the addition of compost, the formation of pellets during the dynamic treatment of soil materials could be reduced.     

Contribution of the polychaete,Neanthes japonica (Izuka), to the oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production of an intertidal mud-flat of the Nanakita River estuary,Japan

The benthic oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of undisturbed and sieved sediment cores with various values for the biomass of polychaetes collected from the intertidal mud-flat of Nanakita River estuary of Japan were measured simultaneously. The benthic oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production increased in proportion to the biomass of a dominant polychaete species Neanthes japonica (Izuka). This increase was not explained by the respiration of the animals alone. The residual increase in benthic O₂ and CO₂ fluxes may be due to mineralization processes in the burrow wall and enhanced diffusion caused by the pumping activity of the worms. From the average biomass of polychaetes at the study site, total benthic O₂ and CO₂ fluxes were estimated to be 5.2 mmol·m⁻²·h⁻¹ and 7.3 mmol·m⁻²·h⁻¹, respectively, at 20 ° C. The worms were responsible for 79% of the total O₂ flux and 73% of the total CO₂ flux but the respiration of the worms accounted for only 53% of the total O₂ flux and 36% of the total CO₂ flux. The residual enhanced fluxes were 26% and 37% for the total O₂ and CO₂ fluxes, respectively.     

Normal oxygen atmosphere is essential for the solitary long-term culture of early preantral mouse follicles

This study compares the effects of reduced (5%) or normal (5% CO₂ in air; 20% O₂) oxygen tension on the in vitro maturation of early preantral ovarian follicles isolated from 14-day-old (C57BI/6J × CBAca) F1 mice. Intact follicles (100–130 μm) are singly cultured in 20 μl droplets α-MEM enriched with FCS and rFSH under mineral oil at 37°C and 100% humidity. In this culture system the follicles are allowed to attach to the bottom of the petri dishes. Follicle in vitro growth, hormone secretory capacity, and in vitro ovulation were studied under the two oxygen tensions. Spontaneous oocyte release from the follicle during a 16-day culture period was observed significantly more under 5% oxygen. Antrallike cavity formation was not observed under 5% O₂. The follicles in the 5% O₂ cultures reaching day 16 were stripped of their granulosa cell layers, and 83% of the retrieved oocytes had already undergone spontaneous germinal-vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Under 20% O₂, the GV stage was maintained until day 16 in 77% of the oocytes. Under 5% O₂, intact follicle survival up to day 12 was significantly reduced as compared to the 5% CO₂ in air conditioning. The hCG stimulus on day 12 induced mucification in a significantly larger proportion of follicles cultured under 20% O₂ (79% vs. 47%). Germinal-vesicle breakdown (20% O₂:95%, 5%, O₂:42%) and first polar body extrusion (20% O₂:40%, 5% O₂:15%) were significantly more prevalent under normal oxygen tension. A reduced secretory capacity of E₂ and inhibin was demonstrated for follicles cultured under 5% O₂. The histological study of serially sectioned follicles showed increased areas of centrally located granulosa cell necrosis and pyknosis in the cumulus cells. Gassing follicle cultures using 5% CO₂ in air provided appropriate conditions for normal growth, enhanced whole-follicle survival, differentiation, and hormone production, and improved the yield of meiotic competent oocytes. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Serum-independent modulation of hemicyst formation by dissolved oxygen in postconfluent epithelial monolayers

Summary Hemicyst formation is considered a manifestation of either transepithelial solute and fluid movement or secretory activity in culture. This study shows that hemicyst formation in postconfluent monolayers of rhesus monkey kidney (LLC-MK₂) cells is modulated by the dissolved oxygen concentration (P_O2) of the culture medium. Either daily replacement of serum-free medium or displacement of the gas phase with 18% vol/vol O₂ (initial medium P_O2=125 to 135 mm Hg) enhances formation of hemicysts. Use of 30% O₂ (medium P_O2≊175 mm Hg) does not further increase the incidence, but neither 10% O₂ (medium P_O2=90 to 95 mm Hg) nor 1% O₂ (medium P_O2=35 to 50 mm Hg), the approximate range of dissolved oxygen values in blood, supports hemicyst formation unless cultures are gently rocked to disrupt diffusion gradients. Phase photomicrography of living cultures shows that the surface of a turgid hemicyst is furrowed, and cinephoto-micrography reveals that the walls vibrate subtly. When hypoxic conditions (0 to 1% O₂) are introduced this vibration ceases within 2 to 3 h, whereas collapse and disappearance of turgid hemicysts requires 18 to 20 h, seems virtually synchronous, and is reversible. Hemicysts form in a broad osmotic range, and increased electrolyte concentration increases the incidence. Hemicysts persist in localyy dense areas when cell-free strips are etched in the postconfluent monolayer; no DNA synthesis is detected under these conditions, but two-dimensional cell spreading into the denuded area is seen along the edge of the wound. We conclude that the dissolved oxygen supply in the cellular microenvironment modulates functional expression by differentiated kidney epithelial cells in culture and that increased electrolyte concentration also enhances expression of this phenotypic marker.     

External respiration response of trained skiers to intermittent normobaric hypoxia

As part of a study on the resistance of subjects adapted to aerobic physical activity to hypoxia, the ventilatory response of trained skiers whose regular physical training is associated with hyperventilation to intermittent normobaric hypoxia has been analyzed. A test session consisted of three cycles of breathing alternately a hypoxic gas mixture (10 vol % O₂) for 5 min and normal air for 5 min. The skiers have a lower oxygen consumption rate as compared with untrained subjects, i.e., a reduced resistance to hypoxia. Therefore, the efficiency of respiration during hypoxia is lower in atheltes, which is caused by a rapid decrease in blood oxygenation, whereas during breathing normal atmospheric air, the efficiency of respiration is lower in untrained subjects.     

Cultured rat hepatocytes adapt their cellular glycolytic activity and adenylate energy status to tissue oxygen tension: Influences of extracellular matrix components,insulin and glucagon

The influence of extracellular matrix components, insulin, and glucagon on the cellular response to periportal- or pericentral-equivalent tissue oxygen tension was investigated in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes cultured at 13% O₂ or 4% O₂ in Teflon membrane dishes. With extended culture time, significant increases in lactate release and cellular lactate content were observed in cultures at 4% O₂ compared with 13% O_2. This shift toward glycolysis was detectable when hepatocytes were cultured on dishes coated with rat liver crude membrane fraction (CMF/COL) but not in collagen type I-coated dishes. This indicates that extracellular matrix components are involved in the process of adaptation. ATP and total adenylate content in cells cultured at 4% O₂ were up to 40% lower than in cells cultured at 13% O_2. However, the adenylate energy charge was not affected, suggesting that an adequate energy supply was maintained also in hepatocytes cultured at pericentral-equivalent oxygen tension. This adaptation was reversible. When hepatocytes were transferred either from 4% to 13% O₂ or from 13% to 4% O₂, they adapted the corresponding metabolic profile to the new oxygen tension within 2 days. This demonstrates that hepatocytes are not fully unidirectionally programmed. The modulation of the glycolytic activity by insulin and glucagon was effective in cultures at pericentral-equivalent oxygen tension (4% O₂) only. Insulin (0.1-100 nM) counteracted the effect of insulin in a dose-dependent manner. Clearly, oxygen tension is the principal regulator in the hepatic glycolytic activity, whereas the hormones (insulin and glucagon) act as secondary modulators. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Responses to hypoxia of plaice,Pleuronectes platessa,and dab,Limanda limanda,in the south-east Kattegat: distribution and growth

Synopsis Plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, and dab, Limanda limanda, were sampled with a Glommen lobster trawl at 25 to 40 m depth in the SE Kattegat during spring and autumn of 1984 to 1990. During autumn, hypoxia (O₂-concentration < 3 mg I^–1) occurred in the bottom water below the halocline for four to ten weeks every year, except in 1984 when moderate hypoxia (O₂-concentration 3–5 mg 1^–1) occurred. Biomass of both species was shown to be negatively correlated with oxygen concentration during autumn. Further, a decrease in population mean total length was observed during the study period in both spring and autumn samples. Laboratory studies of growth of juvenile plaice and dab, at 15° C and 30–34%, showed that growth is reduced at 50 and 30% O₂-saturation for both species during a 20 d period. There was some adaptation to hypoxia resulting in less reduction of growth during the second half of the experiment. The frequency of fish eating was reduced in plaice at 30% O₂-saturation. Reduced mean total length of the plaice and dab population of the SE Kattegat is discussed in view of sublethal effects of oxygen deficiency.     

Energy metabolism of Chironomus anthracinus (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the profundal zone of Lake Esrom,Denmark, as a function of body size,temperature and oxygen concentration

The profundal zone of Lake Esrom, Denmark has a dense population of Chironomus anthracinus, which survives 2–4 months of oxygen depletion each summer during stratification. The metabolism of 3rd and 4th instar larvae was examined in regard to variation in biomass and temperature. Respiration at air saturation was described by a curvilinear multiple regression relating oxygen consumption to individual AFDW and temperature. At 10 °C and varying oxygen regimes the O₂ consumption and CO₂ production of 4th instar larvae were almost unaltered from saturation to about 3 mg O₂ l^–1, but decreased steeply below this level. The respiratory quotient increased from 0.82 at saturation to about 3.4 at oxygen concentrations near 0.5 mg O₂ l^–1. This implied a shift from aerobic to partially anaerobic metabolism. At 0.5 mg O₂ l^–1 the total energy production equalled 20% of the rate at saturation of which more than one third was accounted for by anaerobic degradation of glycogen. This corresponded to a daily loss of 12 µg mg AFDW^–1 or approximately 5% of the body reserves. At unchanged metabolic rate the glycogen store would last three weeks, but long term oxygen deficiency causes a further suppression of the energy metabolism in C. anthracinus.